Mr Barnier praised the outgoing Prime Minister’s “determination and courage” but vowed to work with Mrs May’s successor towards a Brexit deal. The eurocrat insisted that he is still confident of avoid a no-deal Brexit, despite “waiting for the last six months for an agreement with the UK Parliament on the treaty agreed by the Government of the UK”. Speaking at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator once again warned the next prime minister would not be allowed to reopen Mrs May’s hated divorce deal.

“We have said the divorce treaty cannot be reopened, the negotiation is finished,” Mr Barnier said.

“We are at a time of political change in the UK, we need to respect the ongoing process in the UK Government and Parliament.

“I want to pay tribute to Prime Minister Theresa May for her determination and political courage.

“As a Union, we will remain ready to engage with a new government as soon as possible. We respect the UK’s decision, and we expect the UK to respect the fundamental principles of the EU.”

Mr Barnier urged the next British leader to throw their weight behind the 585-page draft EU withdrawal deal, which was agreed between Mrs May and EU27 leaders last November.

He insisted Britain could leave the EU’s single market and customs union under the terms of the deal, which includes the Irish backstop, £39bn divorce bill and the transition period.

Asked if Britain’s red lines had made Brexit impossible, Mr Barnier responded: “Brexit is perfectly possible respecting these red lines, it would be a certain type of Brexit.

“If this treaty is agreed, ratified by the British Parliament, immediately we would have to use two, three or four years to create a future partnership.

“Brexit will happen, it will be delivered respecting these red lines.”

A number of leading Conservative leadership hopefuls, including Boris Johnson, Dominic Raab and Matt Hancock, have all pledged to reopen negotiations with Brussels on the current Brexit deal.

Mr Barnier instead offered them the opportunity to be more “ambitious” with the political declaration on the future relationship.

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